So this week at WorshipU, we have gathered as Worship leaders from around the world (around 700 of us) and have attended Holy Spirit filled, Kingdom Impact sessions with worship leaders, and teachers at Bethel here in Redding,CA. Some of the leadership I have had the privilege of sitting under teachings and engaging in worship sessions with are Jenn & Brian Johnson, Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, Jeremy Riddle, Steffany Gretzinger, Dano McCollum, Ray Houghes, Havilah Cunnington, Housefires, and Melissa and Johnathan David Helser…
Being here I have had a chance to learn so much that it honestly wouldn’t fit in a one page blog. One week has felt like one year. It would be more like a whole entire book(no like I am so serious, for real!)
I would like to share what God has been personally stirring in my heart while I have been here. Since arriving there was so much anticipation, and excitement for what the Lord was preparing for us all. The Lord went in and did some heart work and healing in places inside of me that I didn’t even know needed it. I was so busy with life that I didn’t realize, I needed more, a filling up of the Father’s love, and to just really allow myself to receive that love that He has. I have been able to learn how to administer some of my giftings better, and to practice them while I am here in the breakout classes including art as healing, abstract art, intercessory dance, afro/jazz dance! (yesssss…), cultivating community, marriage in ministry, and more! I even took a step of bravery, and painted on the stage. It was kind of surreal being right next to Steffany Gretzinger and Amanda Cook…and painting. I made an abstract painting of Isaiah 43 and felt like the Lord wanted me to remember after painting that “I am redeemed”. That when I pass through the fire and water He is with me. Someone I know said they saw it and it spoke to them too and God used that verse a lot in their life which was awesome to hear! (A girl I met in Thailand while on the World race back in 2012).
This last week, I have had so many revelations of who the Father really is, what He is asking of us, and I feel like God just said “enough” and pressed the reset button in my life!
I have met so many Kingdom connections from around the world & am truly blessed, encouraged and inspired. I feel like the fire burning inside of me for the things my heart beats for was ignited with a spark.
I decided it was time to surrender things to the Father, and really just live for what He has designed for me to do as I step into that calling. This week the Lord kept speaking to me “You are bird, you are a bird…” I kept laughing. I was like okay, “God, I am a bird”. Then I asked the Father what that meant…I thought about the burning inside me for missions again, and how it is time. I felt the Holy spirit speak to me about this & then I got some more confirmation between yesterday & today. This morning someone I met said ” I prophesy over you that you will know by Saturday what is next”….! haha okay #1…..
Then came #2- I was in the ladies room washing my hands and this girl goes ” You are just a cute missionary girl, love your style”..and something about my headband. Missions has been burning in my heart for this last season of my life and I have been reminded of it a lot this last week…I walked past the world map and just stared at it. It’s like I knew before going into worship today…
Then lunch time #3- This was a little more obvious. I was chatting with Louisa from the city of Luton in the UK (England), and she says, “You are like a bird out of your cage,” I nodded my head and said” Yes God has been saying I am like a bird…” and laughed because it was spot on with what I was hearing. She then continued to say,” You are free, you are going to bring love, and freedom, and there is a journey ahead.” She then prayed for me which was so nice because my heart was wresting a little bit with all of these thoughts and wondering what was next.
Yesterday I spent some serious time with the Father, asking him to show up, and today He totally did! Yesterday I felt a nudge to call Adventures in missions and ask about any opportunities for jobs or leading trips. Today after lunch, I checked my voicemail and called Bruce back. Then he said there is one spot for two trips coming this week, and confirmation happened in my heart, yes “It is time to fly”. So here I go, stepping out of my cage! I will be leading a co-leading a trip with several other leaders in Atlanta, and then another one in Appalachia. I am so excited about this opportunity & am excited for what the Father has in store!
I still don’t have a flight yet to get back to the east coast so if you feel led to help at all with either a flight voucher or any donations you can make them at either Paypal: [email protected] or on my gofundme page @https://www.gofundme.com/meganicole2bethel . I came here to Bethel worshipu in faith with a flight here, tuition paid, but no flight home. I know the Father is faithful to provide what He is calling me to do.
I will leave you with what started this whole week off with Jenn Johnson teaching, “Worship as a Lifestyle” She read Romans 12 from the message bible and it was such a practical place to start with what it means to honor God in your life with Worship. So, so good!
“WHERE WE DWELL”
I will leave you with what started this whole week off with Jenn Johnson teaching, “Worship as a Lifestyle”. She read Romans 12 from the message bible and it was such a practical place to start with what it means to honor God in your life with Worship. So, so good!
Romans 12 The Message (MSG)
Place Your Life Before God
12 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
3 I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
4-6 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
6-8 If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed bDon’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.y them. Keep a smile on your face.
9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody.
